This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Business News Industry People Live Business Top Stories
Survey warns of “astronomical” levels of stress in the live music industry
By Andy Malt | Published on Friday 28 September 2018
Over 80% of people working in the UK’s live music industry experience stress, while 65% regularly feel an “intense and unmanageable level of pressure”, according to a new survey.
Ticketing service Skiddle asked 520 promoters, venue owners and event organisers about their experiences of working in the live industry. Of them, 82% complained of stress, 67% said they have anxiety, and 40% said that they have experienced depression – far higher than the national average. A total of 10% said that they have OCD as a direct result of their work in the music industry.
More than a third added that their work negatively affected their relationship with their partner or spouse. A similar number also reported regularly having financial problems, which in turn contributed to issues with their mental wellbeing.
“The results of this survey do not make for an easy read, and it’s troubling to see that so many promoters are struggling with their mental health and wellbeing”, says Skiddle’s Ben Sebborn. “Skiddle have been working alongside independent and large scale promoters for nearly two decades and fully appreciate how difficult the job can be”.
He adds: “As well as organising a series of panel sessions to discuss the issues raised in the survey, we will also be working with the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine and the Campaign Against Living Miserably to ensure we are industry leaders in supporting promoters and offering them the assistance they need to work happily and effectively”.
Director of the there mentioned BAPAM, Claire Cordeaux, adds: “It’s well evidenced that mental health problems are considerably higher in the performing artist community than in the general population and the industry is increasingly recognising the need for support. Skiddle’s survey of promoters, one of the first of its kind, is a timely reminder that it is not just performers that need help”.
The findings of the survey will be discussed at two panel events next week. The first will take place at the Queen Of Hoxton in London on 2 Oct, the second at Joshua Brookes in Manchester on 3 Oct. Free tickets to both are available here.
You can see Skiddle’s findings presented in an infographic here:
